The group of them had found the site that their way gate led to. They’d come in, ready to deal with any resistance and found… another broken way gate.

“Careful bastards, I’ll give them that.” Isaac muttered.

“Cowards are only good at running!” Lennard declared.

“Where did this one take them?” Lexine asked.

“I’ll be able to tell you soon,” Moira said.

“They can’t run forever,” Lulu muttered. “We’ll catch up.”

“They may only be delaying us,” Shin observed. “I mean… so they can run away on foot or prepare something.”

“Come to think of it,” Reira stated “Twila’s mind did have something about a ‘sacred flame.'”

“Sacred flame?” Isaac asked. “Where have I heard…”

“The forbidden summoning spells!” Moira cried.

“That’s right!” Isaac snapped his fingers. “And in a cauldron deep and dark, the sacred flame shall burn bright. After it consumes a thousand souls…” He paused, looking like he was trying to remember more.

“The sacred flame shall burst,” Moira whispered. “And from Tartarus it shall bring, that which will grant its bearer’s boon. The great Typhon shall emerge.”

“Why does magic stuff always gotta be so flowery?” Lennard asked.

“That doesn’t matter,” Lexine said. “Moira, you said…”

“Typhon,” Reira finished.

“The deadliest Titan,” Florence muttered. “Could any of us stand up to him for even a moment?”

“We have to find their base before they can finish the spell!” Moira declared. “Come, I know where to go next.”

*****

“Sorry for holding everything up, Guys,” Axra said. “I should have been more careful during that fight.”

They were sitting around a campfire, with tents in a circle around it. They hadn’t gone too far from the battlefield, wanting only to get away from the sight and scent of the violence that had occurred there but not wanting to strain Axra.

“Don’t worry about it,” Bonnie said.

“Yeah, it’s not your fault,” Lysara stated. “In fact, both Lilly and Twila agree that you were really cool during that match.”

“I never said that,” Twila stated.

“I… I didn’t either,” Lilly said. “N… no that you didn’t look cool. I… I just didn’t say it like that.”

“Not in those exact words,” Lysara said. “but you definitely both had that sentiment when you talked about the fight.”

“The important thing is that we’ll be able to leave in the morning,” Bonnie said. “I’ve taken the liberty of planning the fastest route to Grimswald. I also had Velvet go into town to replenish our supplies in advance so that we can pick up what little needs replenishing at that point quickly and be on our way.”

She didn’t lead them too far from the encampment, just far enough away that their voices wouldn’t carry to the others. Then, she turned to the two of them. “Axra,” Twila turned to her. “Do you know why Reginald was so certain that you’d come for me?”

Axra quickly looked away from her. “It’s because I’m a hero, of course!”

Twila sighed, heavily. “We need to be honest with each other.” She put a hand on Axra’s shoulder and pulled her closer, turning Axra to face her. “He said that you were in love with me.”

Axra froze, she felt like her entire face must be red, although in truth a blushing dark elf was barely noticeable.

“I see,” Twila said. “So it was true. And Lilly, you’re in love with Axra, are you not?”

Twila released Axra and put her hands on Lilly’s shoulders. “You don’t have to say it in words. Just nod or shake your head, okay?”

Lilly looked down and nodded.

“Huh?” Axra asked. “Since when?”

“That isn’t important,” Twila said. “What is important is that we be honest with each other and settle this.” She looked from Axra to Lilly. “And since I called you both over here it seems only fair that I tell you my own feelings in full.”

“Axra’ll accept Lilly’s love and the two of them’ll be together,” Velvet answered.

“No way!” Lysara declared. “Axra’s indecisiveness will catch up to her and Lilly and Twila will live happily ever after!”

“Won’t happen,” Bonnie stated. “Twila and Axra are both aristocratic ladies. A servant like Lilly will be left behind.”

“But Axra and Lilly have history,” Velvet said. “A lot of it.”

“But Twila and Lilly have the most chemistry,” Lysara stated. “They’ll definitely get together.”

The three of them argued , speculating about how events might unfold.

“What are you three doing?” Axra asked.

“Talking,” Bonnie answered.

“Not about anything in particular,” Lysara added.

“Is that so?” Axra asked. She turned to Bonnie. “Bonnie, I need you to patrol the area real quick. I thought I heard something while I was over there. You can leave Fang with Lysara.”

“Understood,” Bonnie said. As she walked away she noticed Twila lurking in the shadows near Axra. “So, I was right,” she muttered.

Axra watched Bonnie fade into the distance. “We’re clear.”

“I’ll make this fast,” Twila said.

“You’re sure it’ll soundproof it?” Axra asked.

“I am,” Twila stated. “I use it all the time… when I don’t have to worry about something attacking. There, it’s done.” Twila and Axra shuffled into the tent. Lilly stood at the entrance. She looked nervously over at Velvet and Lysara.

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About ktulu007

I don’t really like talking about myself, but for the curious I’m Deutsch. I’m the second oldest of three children, four if you count my adopted sister. We largely grew up without a father. Writing has been a major passion for me since I was small. I like to write online because it offers me some freedom to experiment with different genres and provides me with more of an audience than I would normally have access to. One of my bigger influences has always been my youngest sister. She’s very socially aware, an excellent judge of quality when it comes to writing and very supportive of my efforts. Whenever I write I ask myself “would she find major problematic elements in this that I need to change?” and I try to be socially responsible enough and good enough to be as good of a writer as she thinks I am.